Women that Ride
– Denise Soumas

By Denise Soumas

You hear it about a mile before you can see it; the distinctly loud rumble of a finely tuned motorcycle. You think to yourself, “Lucky guy. Wish that was me out riding today.” As the biker gets closer and the rumble turns into a roar, you can begin to make out some of the details of a finely polished bike. Then you think, “Wow, nice bike, man.” He’s got your full attention now, and just when he’s about to thunder by, you realize aloud, “Hey, that’s a chick riding that bike!”

Though I am a female motorcycle rider myself, I still have these moments of surprised realization when I spot other women riders. But this surprise lessens with each passing year. Women who are buying and riding their own bikes are one the fastest growing segments of the entire biker population. And the motorcycle industry has noticed.

When I purchased my first motorcycle just six years ago, I found it difficult to locate information and motorcycle gear made just for women. Well, that has all since changed and women riders are being catered to in a multitude of ways. You can now find dozens of Internet commerce sites directed exclusively towards the serious woman biker. Most motorcycle manufacturers have developed bikes with women friendly features. And though there have been some frustrating start-and-stops in the world of magazine publishing, forward thinking publishers and editors have now embraced the growth and spending potential that the woman rider population represents.
Why are so many women getting off the back of the bikes and choosing to ride their own instead? Because some of us have realized that while we’re still enthralled with the whole biker-as-a-passenger experience, we’re thoroughly captivated by the concept of being in total control of that experience by driving the bike ourselves. Our sense of independence and freedom can be multiplied exponentially through owning and riding our own bike.

I hold nothing against the genre of female passengers who feel it’s their job to look as sexy as they can on the back of their man’s bike. It’s a traditional social image thing that I totally respect. Personally, I wish they’d wear a little more protective clothing and a perhaps a helmet, but that’s the overprotective safety girl in me talking. However, I do understand why they like to ride behind their men. Sometimes I reminisce fondly about my days of riding behind my man, and occasionally I still get to ride on the back of his bike. And when I want to look sexy, I lift the shield of my full-face helmet and pull up the sleeves of my Kevlar shirt. That’s just me.

In this male-dominated world of motorcycle riding, women riders are still the exception to the rule. But the rules are swiftly changing, and in great ways. My man has been spotted riding on the back of my bike. (O.K., it was very dark outside at the time.) He was so sweet and really supportive of me when I decided I had to have my own bike, so I figure it’s only a matter of time before he gets comfortable in the passenger position. Don’t be surprised when that bike roaring by you on the road is not only being driven by a woman, but the sexy thing on the back is (gasp!) a man. I’m kidding of course. I think he truly prefers driving his own bike. And I understand.